…that the good folks down in New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast still need a lotta help and support from everyone out there. Recently, my good friend Rock from Slidell, LA sent me this aerial photo of the flooding that took place in and around his town following the Industrial Canal levee breeches. (If you look closely at the photo, you’ll see a silver “L”-shaped building just right of center at the top; Rock’s shop is right by there. You can see just how extensive the flooding was.)

Believe me, folks, there’s still a lot of people down there trying to put their lives back together. That’s why it’s so important that we lend our support in any and every way we can. Here are a couple of ways you can help:

* Check the links supplied by Leslie, Andy, and Adrienne at Katrina Networking. They’re working hard to help the folks out in Hancock County, Mississippi so devastated by the actual hurricane itself.

* Leslie herself has a new page devoted to those wishing to help artists and artisans along the Gulf Coast. The artwork you’ll find there are fantastic, and any purchases you make will help them out a great deal.

* Ken DiLiugi at the American Red Cross chapter in Gloucester County, NJ reports they have a desperate need for desktop and laptop computers to help those Katrina refugees still displaced in New Jersey use video conferencing technology to keep track of the progress being made on their homes back in Louisiana as they are made inhabitable again.

* Make plans for a long vacation weekend in New Orleans. This, of course, is perhaps one of the best things you can do to help. Not only does it put spending money in the hands of those whose livelihoods depend on travel and hospitality, but it raises awareness and lays the foundation for more and more visitors to come. My favorite hotel there, the Omni Orleans, like many other French Quarter hotels, have extremely favorable rates, and you won’t be disappointed at the ambience of the Rib Room bar by those magnificent Swedish ivys. Now that summer is over, the weather should be spectacular! Please consider adding New Orleans to your fall travel plans – I did it and had a great time.